In many respects, the opponent Whiteland’s football team has been preparing for this week is none other than itself.
Provided a second opportunity in as many years to host powerhouse New Palestine in the Class 5A sectional, Warriors coaches and players faced the challenge of focusing on themselves and not some measure of revenge.
Easier said than done when dealing with young athletes, though Whiteland coach Darrin Fisher applauds this group’s collective maturity.
“I don’t think that’s really an issue,” said Fisher, whose squad last season played close with the Dragons though three quarters in a sectional opener before dropping a 35-7 decision to the eventual state champion. “Our players understand that every day is important in preparation. I don’t see this being any different.”
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Whiteland is 5-7 against New Pal since Fisher became the Warriors coach in 2005. The Dragons have prevailed in five of the last six meetings entering tonight’s sectional championship game, taking the last four by a total count of 127-51.
Previous New Palestine squads, led by the likes of Charlie Spegal, the state’s career rushing and scoring leader, put up pinball-machine offensive numbers in coach Kyle Ralph’s first seven seasons.
Ralph’s current squad is somewhat different, though not much less potent.
The Dragons, ranked fifth at 8-1, are allowing only 12 points per game, holding three opponents scoreless. New Palestine fell behind an inspired Franklin ball club last week in its first-round sectional game, but stormed back from a 24-point deficit in the second half for a 31-27 victory.
It was the Dragons’ 26th triumph in 30 postseason games under Ralph.
“New Palestine is very good on defense and very effective in the return game,” Fisher said. “They’re different than they were last season, but still effective in many ways.”
Whiteland senior Ethan Myers, a four-year starter on the offensive line, understands the challenge ahead. The Warriors are 0-2 against the Dragons during his varsity career.
“I respect New Pal’s work ethic. They won’t go around you, they’ll go through you,” Myers said. “They will hit you, and that’s what the game is about. I feel there are a lot of similarities between the two teams.”
The Warriors, who blitzed Seymour, 66-0, in last week’s first-round sectional game, have also recorded three shutouts and yield just 13.8 points per contest.
Senior cornerback and three-year starter Ewan Niccum embraces the challenge ahead as Whiteland attempts to pick up its sixth sectional title and first since 2014.
“As a team, we are good at taking it one week at a time,” Niccum said. “I’m excited, and I know a lot of my teammates are, too. If everyone does their job to their full potential, we can win the game.”
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Class 6A
Columbus East (8-2) at Center Grove (10-0), 7 p.m.
Class 5A
New Palestine (8-1) at Whiteland (8-1), 7 p.m.
Class 4A
Lebanon (4-4) at Roncalli (9-1), 7 p.m.
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